John 18:4 kjv
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:4 nkjv
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?"
John 18:4 niv
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
John 18:4 esv
Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"
John 18:4 nlt
Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. "Who are you looking for?" he asked.
John 18 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 18:4 | Jesus knowing all that was coming upon him went forth and said unto them | John 6:64, John 10:17-18, Isa 53:7 |
| John 10:17-18 | "I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me | Luke 22:53, John 19:11, Acts 4:28 |
| Isa 53:7 | He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth | Matt 27:12, Mark 15:5, 1 Pet 2:23 |
| John 6:64 | But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first | John 2:24-25, John 16:30 |
| John 19:11 | "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above" | Rom 13:1, Acts 2:23, Luke 22:53 |
| Acts 4:28 | to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. | Gen 3:15, Ps 2:2, Acts 2:23 |
| Luke 22:53 | "When I was with you every day in the temple, you did not stretch out | Matt 26:50, John 14:31, John 18:36 |
| Matt 27:12 | When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. | Mark 15:4, Luke 23:9 |
| Mark 15:5 | So Jesus also asked him nothing. And Pilate marveled. | Isa 53:7 |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he | Matt 27:39, Luke 23:35, Phil 2:8 |
| John 16:30 | Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to ask you | John 11:42, John 21:17, John 14:30 |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no | Titus 3:1, 1 Pet 2:13-17 |
| Ps 2:2 | The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel | Acts 4:25-26, Rev 17:12-14 |
| Gen 3:15 | I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your | Gal 3:16, Rom 16:20 |
| Phil 2:8 | and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient | Heb 2:14, Luke 22:42, John 14:31 |
| John 14:31 | but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know | John 10:18, John 15:10, Gal 2:20 |
| John 18:36 | Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of | 1 Tim 6:13-16, Rev 1:5 |
| Luke 22:52 | Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out as against a robber, with | Matt 26:55 |
| Gal 3:16 | Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not | Rom 4:13, Gen 12:7 |
| Rom 16:20 | The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our | Gen 3:15, Rom 1:3 |
| 1 Thess 4:2 | for you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. | 1 Cor 1:2, 1 Thess 5:2 |
| 1 Cor 1:2 | To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ | 2 Cor 1:1, Eph 1:1 |
| Eph 1:1 | Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who | 2 Tim 1:1, Col 1:1 |
| John 10:18 | None of them is lost, except the one doomed to destruction, so that | John 17:12, Luke 4:18-19, Acts 1:16 |
John 18 verses
John 18 4 Meaning
Jesus, fully aware of everything that was going to happen to Him, identifies Himself and steps forward. This is an act of taking the initiative and submitting to His ordained purpose, not of being captured unwillingly. His omniscience ensures His full agency in the events unfolding.
John 18 4 Context
This verse occurs as Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane after His Last Supper with the disciples. A crowd, led by Judas Iscariot, has arrived to arrest Him. The arrest takes place at night, indicating a desire for stealth and a covert operation, contrasting with the open ministry Jesus had. John's Gospel often emphasizes Jesus' divine knowledge and control over events, a theme that is prominent here. This passage is part of the Passion Narrative, detailing Jesus' suffering and eventual crucifixion.
John 18 4 Word Analysis
Jesus (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The central figure, identified as the Son of God and Messiah.
knowing (εἰδὼς, eidōs): Perfect participle of oida, signifying a present knowledge resulting from past understanding; Jesus possessed full foresight of His suffering. This speaks to His divine awareness, not mere inference.
all things (πάντα, panta): Refers to the entirety of the events concerning His arrest, trial, suffering, and death; encompassing the emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions.
that was coming upon him (τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἐπ’ αὐτόν, ta erchomena ep’ auton): Literally "the things coming upon Him." The verb erchomai (to come) and the preposition epi (upon) indicate an imminent and unavoidable approach. This "coming" is not accidental but part of God's sovereign plan.
went forth (προῆλθεν, proēlthēn): Aorist indicative of proerchomai, meaning to go forward or come out. This action demonstrates Jesus' initiative; He advanced towards His captors rather than being passively dragged.
and said unto them (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, kai eipen autois): He actively addressed the crowd.
“It is I” (Ἐγώ εἰμι, Egō eimi): A direct statement of self-identification. This phrase is profoundly significant in the Gospel of John, often used by Jesus to reveal His divine nature (e.g., "Before Abraham was, I am," John 8:58). The captors explicitly identified Him as "Jesus of Nazareth" earlier (v. 5), but Jesus declares His full identity, perhaps a divine manifestion that caused the soldiers to fall backward.
Words Group Analysis
- "Jesus knowing all things that was coming upon him": This phrase emphasizes Jesus' omniscience and sovereign control over His destiny. It aligns with His earlier statements about laying down His life willingly (John 10:18).
- "went forth and said unto them, 'It is I.'": This combined action shows Jesus taking the lead in His arrest. His self-declaration is not a fearful confession but a powerful affirmation of His identity, designed to convey His authority and willingness. The deliberate advance contrasts with the armed mob's aggressive approach.
John 18 4 Bonus Section
The statement "It is I" (Egō eimi) in John 18:5, echoing God’s self-revelation to Moses ("I AM WHO I AM," Exodus 3:14), implicitly claims divine identity. When Jesus utters this in response to the armed group, the Greek text suggests the soldiers were struck down, causing them to fall backward. This physical reaction underscores the divine power and authority inherent in Jesus' simple identification. It’s a testament that even in His arrest, He is demonstrating His Lordship over the situation, rather than being overpowered. The soldiers' query, "Jesus of Nazareth," is specific to His earthly location, while Jesus' response, "It is I," is a declaration of His eternal being.
John 18 4 Commentary
Jesus' knowledge of future events, particularly His suffering and death, highlights His divine nature. He is not a victim of circumstance but an agent in His own arrest. His voluntary step forward and declaration "It is I" underscores His obedience to the Father's will and His acceptance of the sacrificial role appointed for Him. This is consistent with prophetic declarations and Jesus' own teachings about His purpose on earth—to give His life as a ransom. His advance and self-identification served to demonstrate His control and assure His disciples that He was not taken by surprise or unwillingly, but willingly surrendered Himself according to divine plan.